This position is located on the State Soil Scientist (SSS) staff, within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The NRCS mission is to provide resources to farmers and landowners to aid them with conservation. Appointment includes OCONUS (Outside the Continental United States) time restrictions. Initial duty is not-to-exceed 3 years with possibility for extension for an additional 2 years upon approval. See additional information.

Duties

Serves as a member of the Soils/Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Team and aids and provides input to members of the team regarding the development, implementation and support of GIS related methods and technologies. Performs cartographic assignments of limited scope and complexity within established methods and procedures. Inspects and edits digital geospatial data to ensure compliance with applicable specifications. Utilizes computer programs and software (e.g. ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro, web applications with ArcGIS Online, mobile applications with apps such as Collector and Survey 123) for collecting and processing data. Produces and analyzes data necessary for conservation programs.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position.
• This position requires field work where dangerous wildlife are common. Passing courses in bear safety and firearms handling on an annual basis and the legal ability to carry a firearm, are required for this position.
• This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.
• Certification of compliance with 18 U.S.C. 922 (g) and (n) National Rifle Association Shotgun Safety and handling certification.
• This position is designated for random drug testing under Departmental Regulation DR 4430-7922-2 dated April 2011. This position must complete and pass a Pre-Employment Drug Testing before entrance on duty (EOD).
• A service agreement is required for authorization of relocation expenses and allowances.
• Employment/Mobility Agreement may be required due to time limitations on OCONUS assignments. (For current Federal employees relocating to AK)
• At the completion of the tour(s), the employee has guaranteed return rights to a position of grade and pay equivalent to the employee's current position. (For current Federal employees relocating to AK)
• This position includes Return Rights and Tour Renewal Travel. Return rights must be exercised prior to the 3 year ( 5 years if extension is approved) time period. (For current Federal employees relocating to AK)
• After five years, the employee can opt to remain in Alaska but will forfeit any guaranteed return rights.

Qualifications

Basic Eligibility: Degree in cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. Such course work includes, but is not limited to, cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college level, non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites). OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography, and/or directly related science, and related mathematics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Experience: Applicants whose experience in cartography was in the Federal service may have gained this experience by working in an occupational series other than GS-1370. Occupations in which experience may have been gained include Geography, GS-150; Civil Engineering, GS-810; General Physical Science, GS-1301; Geodesy, GS-1372; and Land Surveying, GS-1373. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-07 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include experience providing input regarding the development, implementation and support of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) related methods and technologies including basic cartographic concepts, appropriate use of data tables, spreadsheets, file formats, etc data tables, spreadsheets, file formats, etc. OR Superior Academic Achievement in a bachelor's degree curriculum directly related to the work of the position. To qualify for superior academic achievement, you must have ONE of the following: (1) standing in the upper third of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply; (2) grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed in a related discipline, either (a) at the time of application or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum; OR (4) election to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Society; OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-07 level: 1 year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a masters degree or equivalent in cartography or a related discipline such as geography, or GIS. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. GS-9 Grade Level: In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualification requirement in order to be considered for this position: Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience is defined as independently providing technical advice to address Geographic Information Systems (GIS) related concepts; applying conventional and established GIS methods and techniques in collecting and processing data; developing complex maps for use in resource analysis; assisting in the development of GIS tools using python scripting and/or using online data analysis. OR Substitution of Education in Lieu of Specialized Experience: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent in cartography or a related discipline. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/cartography-series-1370/ Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Diane Desipio
• Phone: (484) 786-7305
• Email: [email protected]